Milton Keynes Dons

Many of the Brighton fans packed into the Amex Stadium on Saturday will still remember the immortal words ‘And Smith must score’ and those who do not may soon be getting a history lesson if the club’s Cup run continues. The last time Brighton were a top-flight club, they reached the final of the FA Cup in 1983 and lost in a replay to Manchester United. Gordon Smith has the dubious honour of being the man, referred to in the famous radio commentary, who should have won the first game for Brighton. There was even a fanzine named after him. Brighton may still be a couple of games away from the final, but a first quarter-final place for 32 years, in the season they are back in the top flight, has got the club’s supporters dreaming of another Wembley appearance and a chance to finally avenge Smith’s miss. Unlike at other grounds in this season’s FA Cup, there were no large sections of empty seats at the Amex, despite the fact Brighton were entertaining League Two opposition. Manager Chris Hughton made nine changes for the visit of Coventry City, but there was never much prospect of an upset. Jurgen Locadia celebrates scoring his first goal for the club Credit: Getty Images Record signing Jurgen Locadia scored on his Brighton debut, while Leonardo Ulloa netted for the first time since returning to the club on loan from Leicester City. Locadia should really have finished with a hat-trick, as the £15million buy from PSV Eindhoven made a lively start to his Seagulls career. He hit the post in just the fifth minute with a hooked shot from a corner that Coventry failed to clear, but found the net 10 minutes later. Anthony Knockaert, who Coventry’s defenders could not cope with, sent in a low cross from the right and the ball was deflected into the path of Locadia, who made no mistake from eight yards. Just two minutes before Locadia’s opener, Coventry had gone within inches of breaking the deadlock. Jordan Shipley’s corner was met by Johnson Clarke-Harris, but his header rattled the crossbar. Goldson's goal was his first in two years Credit: Getty Images Locadia was presented with a great chance to double his and Brighton’s tally in the 23rd minute, but he completely missed the ball with the goal gaping. And shortly afterwards, he somehow diverted the ball wide after sliding to meet a low cross into the area from Markus Suttner. “To get off mark early was good for Jurgen,” said Hughton. “He is here to score goals. He has a flexibility about him, but we are still learning about him. You saw that in his game as he was drifting out. He came to us in January and had had a good first half of the season in Holland.” Coventry were punished further with 11 minutes of the first half remaining. Another Suttner delivery found the head of Connor Goldson, who made no mistake. The goal was Goldson’s first for almost two years, during which time he underwent heart surgery. Hughton swapped his goalkeeper at the break, sending on Niki Maenpaa to replace the injured Tim Krul, but it was Coventry’s Lee Burge who was soon picking the ball out of his net again. Just after the hour mark, Bruno’s high cross found Ulloa and the Argentine directed his header past Burge to chalk up his first goal of the season. Johnson Clarke-Harris (L) celebrates getting a consolation goal for Coventry with Jordan Ponticelli Credit: PA For Coventry, this season’s FA Cup has provided some relief and distraction from years of turmoil at the hands of controversial owners Sisu. The 1987 winners beat Stoke City and Milton Keynes Dons to reach the fifth round and they at least sent their travelling army home with something to cheer from their day out in Brighton. Burge pumped forwards a long clearance that made its way into the Brighton penalty area. Goldson tried to head clear, but the ball fell to Clarke-Harris, who rifled a shot into the net to send the Coventry fans wild. “I thought we were good,” said Coventry manager Mark Robins. “It has been a positive experience for us and, hopefully, it can help us have a strong finish in League Two.”

Many of the Brighton fans packed into the Amex Stadium on Saturday will still remember the immortal words ‘And Smith must score’ and those who do not may soon be getting a history lesson if the club’s Cup run continues. The last time Brighton were a top-flight club, they reached the final of the FA Cup in 1983 and lost in a replay to Manchester United. Gordon Smith has the dubious honour of being the man, referred to in the famous radio commentary, who should have won the first game for Brighton. There was even a fanzine named after him. Brighton may still be a couple of games away from the final, but a first quarter-final place for 32 years, in the season they are back in the top flight, has got the club’s supporters dreaming of another Wembley appearance and a chance to finally avenge Smith’s miss. Unlike at other grounds in this season’s FA Cup, there were no large sections of empty seats at the Amex, despite the fact Brighton were entertaining League Two opposition. Manager Chris Hughton made nine changes for the visit of Coventry City, but there was never much prospect of an upset. Jurgen Locadia celebrates scoring his first goal for the club Credit: Getty Images Record signing Jurgen Locadia scored on his Brighton debut, while Leonardo Ulloa netted for the first time since returning to the club on loan from Leicester City. Locadia should really have finished with a hat-trick, as the £15million buy from PSV Eindhoven made a lively start to his Seagulls career. He hit the post in just the fifth minute with a hooked shot from a corner that Coventry failed to clear, but found the net 10 minutes later. Anthony Knockaert, who Coventry’s defenders could not cope with, sent in a low cross from the right and the ball was deflected into the path of Locadia, who made no mistake from eight yards. Just two minutes before Locadia’s opener, Coventry had gone within inches of breaking the deadlock. Jordan Shipley’s corner was met by Johnson Clarke-Harris, but his header rattled the crossbar. Goldson's goal was his first in two years Credit: Getty Images Locadia was presented with a great chance to double his and Brighton’s tally in the 23rd minute, but he completely missed the ball with the goal gaping. And shortly afterwards, he somehow diverted the ball wide after sliding to meet a low cross into the area from Markus Suttner. “To get off mark early was good for Jurgen,” said Hughton. “He is here to score goals. He has a flexibility about him, but we are still learning about him. You saw that in his game as he was drifting out. He came to us in January and had had a good first half of the season in Holland.” Coventry were punished further with 11 minutes of the first half remaining. Another Suttner delivery found the head of Connor Goldson, who made no mistake. The goal was Goldson’s first for almost two years, during which time he underwent heart surgery. Hughton swapped his goalkeeper at the break, sending on Niki Maenpaa to replace the injured Tim Krul, but it was Coventry’s Lee Burge who was soon picking the ball out of his net again. Just after the hour mark, Bruno’s high cross found Ulloa and the Argentine directed his header past Burge to chalk up his first goal of the season. Johnson Clarke-Harris (L) celebrates getting a consolation goal for Coventry with Jordan Ponticelli Credit: PA For Coventry, this season’s FA Cup has provided some relief and distraction from years of turmoil at the hands of controversial owners Sisu. The 1987 winners beat Stoke City and Milton Keynes Dons to reach the fifth round and they at least sent their travelling army home with something to cheer from their day out in Brighton. Burge pumped forwards a long clearance that made its way into the Brighton penalty area. Goldson tried to head clear, but the ball fell to Clarke-Harris, who rifled a shot into the net to send the Coventry fans wild. “I thought we were good,” said Coventry manager Mark Robins. “It has been a positive experience for us and, hopefully, it can help us have a strong finish in League Two.”

Many of the Brighton fans packed into the Amex Stadium on Saturday will still remember the immortal words ‘And Smith must score’ and those who do not may soon be getting a history lesson if the club’s Cup run continues. The last time Brighton were a top-flight club, they reached the final of the FA Cup in 1983 and lost in a replay to Manchester United. Gordon Smith has the dubious honour of being the man, referred to in the famous radio commentary, who should have won the first game for Brighton. There was even a fanzine named after him. Brighton may still be a couple of games away from the final, but a first quarter-final place for 32 years, in the season they are back in the top flight, has got the club’s supporters dreaming of another Wembley appearance and a chance to finally avenge Smith’s miss. Unlike at other grounds in this season’s FA Cup, there were no large sections of empty seats at the Amex, despite the fact Brighton were entertaining League Two opposition. Manager Chris Hughton made nine changes for the visit of Coventry City, but there was never much prospect of an upset. Jurgen Locadia celebrates scoring his first goal for the club Credit: Getty Images Record signing Jurgen Locadia scored on his Brighton debut, while Leonardo Ulloa netted for the first time since returning to the club on loan from Leicester City. Locadia should really have finished with a hat-trick, as the £15million buy from PSV Eindhoven made a lively start to his Seagulls career. He hit the post in just the fifth minute with a hooked shot from a corner that Coventry failed to clear, but found the net 10 minutes later. Anthony Knockaert, who Coventry’s defenders could not cope with, sent in a low cross from the right and the ball was deflected into the path of Locadia, who made no mistake from eight yards. Just two minutes before Locadia’s opener, Coventry had gone within inches of breaking the deadlock. Jordan Shipley’s corner was met by Johnson Clarke-Harris, but his header rattled the crossbar. Goldson's goal was his first in two years Credit: Getty Images Locadia was presented with a great chance to double his and Brighton’s tally in the 23rd minute, but he completely missed the ball with the goal gaping. And shortly afterwards, he somehow diverted the ball wide after sliding to meet a low cross into the area from Markus Suttner. “To get off mark early was good for Jurgen,” said Hughton. “He is here to score goals. He has a flexibility about him, but we are still learning about him. You saw that in his game as he was drifting out. He came to us in January and had had a good first half of the season in Holland.” Coventry were punished further with 11 minutes of the first half remaining. Another Suttner delivery found the head of Connor Goldson, who made no mistake. The goal was Goldson’s first for almost two years, during which time he underwent heart surgery. Hughton swapped his goalkeeper at the break, sending on Niki Maenpaa to replace the injured Tim Krul, but it was Coventry’s Lee Burge who was soon picking the ball out of his net again. Just after the hour mark, Bruno’s high cross found Ulloa and the Argentine directed his header past Burge to chalk up his first goal of the season. Johnson Clarke-Harris (L) celebrates getting a consolation goal for Coventry with Jordan Ponticelli Credit: PA For Coventry, this season’s FA Cup has provided some relief and distraction from years of turmoil at the hands of controversial owners Sisu. The 1987 winners beat Stoke City and Milton Keynes Dons to reach the fifth round and they at least sent their travelling army home with something to cheer from their day out in Brighton. Burge pumped forwards a long clearance that made its way into the Brighton penalty area. Goldson tried to head clear, but the ball fell to Clarke-Harris, who rifled a shot into the net to send the Coventry fans wild. “I thought we were good,” said Coventry manager Mark Robins. “It has been a positive experience for us and, hopefully, it can help us have a strong finish in League Two.”

Many of the Brighton fans packed into the Amex Stadium on Saturday will still remember the immortal words ‘And Smith must score’ and those who do not may soon be getting a history lesson if the club’s Cup run continues. The last time Brighton were a top-flight club, they reached the final of the FA Cup in 1983 and lost in a replay to Manchester United. Gordon Smith has the dubious honour of being the man, referred to in the famous radio commentary, who should have won the first game for Brighton. There was even a fanzine named after him. Brighton may still be a couple of games away from the final, but a first quarter-final place for 32 years, in the season they are back in the top flight, has got the club’s supporters dreaming of another Wembley appearance and a chance to finally avenge Smith’s miss. Unlike at other grounds in this season’s FA Cup, there were no large sections of empty seats at the Amex, despite the fact Brighton were entertaining League Two opposition. Manager Chris Hughton made nine changes for the visit of Coventry City, but there was never much prospect of an upset. Jurgen Locadia celebrates scoring his first goal for the club Credit: Getty Images Record signing Jurgen Locadia scored on his Brighton debut, while Leonardo Ulloa netted for the first time since returning to the club on loan from Leicester City. Locadia should really have finished with a hat-trick, as the £15million buy from PSV Eindhoven made a lively start to his Seagulls career. He hit the post in just the fifth minute with a hooked shot from a corner that Coventry failed to clear, but found the net 10 minutes later. Anthony Knockaert, who Coventry’s defenders could not cope with, sent in a low cross from the right and the ball was deflected into the path of Locadia, who made no mistake from eight yards. Just two minutes before Locadia’s opener, Coventry had gone within inches of breaking the deadlock. Jordan Shipley’s corner was met by Johnson Clarke-Harris, but his header rattled the crossbar. Goldson's goal was his first in two years Credit: Getty Images Locadia was presented with a great chance to double his and Brighton’s tally in the 23rd minute, but he completely missed the ball with the goal gaping. And shortly afterwards, he somehow diverted the ball wide after sliding to meet a low cross into the area from Markus Suttner. “To get off mark early was good for Jurgen,” said Hughton. “He is here to score goals. He has a flexibility about him, but we are still learning about him. You saw that in his game as he was drifting out. He came to us in January and had had a good first half of the season in Holland.” Coventry were punished further with 11 minutes of the first half remaining. Another Suttner delivery found the head of Connor Goldson, who made no mistake. The goal was Goldson’s first for almost two years, during which time he underwent heart surgery. Hughton swapped his goalkeeper at the break, sending on Niki Maenpaa to replace the injured Tim Krul, but it was Coventry’s Lee Burge who was soon picking the ball out of his net again. Just after the hour mark, Bruno’s high cross found Ulloa and the Argentine directed his header past Burge to chalk up his first goal of the season. Johnson Clarke-Harris (L) celebrates getting a consolation goal for Coventry with Jordan Ponticelli Credit: PA For Coventry, this season’s FA Cup has provided some relief and distraction from years of turmoil at the hands of controversial owners Sisu. The 1987 winners beat Stoke City and Milton Keynes Dons to reach the fifth round and they at least sent their travelling army home with something to cheer from their day out in Brighton. Burge pumped forwards a long clearance that made its way into the Brighton penalty area. Goldson tried to head clear, but the ball fell to Clarke-Harris, who rifled a shot into the net to send the Coventry fans wild. “I thought we were good,” said Coventry manager Mark Robins. “It has been a positive experience for us and, hopefully, it can help us have a strong finish in League Two.”

Coventry striker Maxime Biamou desperate to face Man Utd in FA Cup

Mark Robins is not the only man at Coventry City desperate to land a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Maxime Biamou secured League Two Coventry’s path into the last 16 for the first time in nine years with the only goal against Milton Keynes Dons and is now dreaming of writing another chapter into his personal FA Cup story. The French striker was part of the Sutton United side that reached the fifth round before losing to Arsenal last season and now Biamou wants to go up against the brother of one of his best friends – United forward Anthony Martial. “I would like to play against Manchester United because I know Anthony Martial,” said Biamou, who was born in Creteil, a south-eastern suburb of Paris. “I saw him a couple of weeks ago when Stoke played at Old Trafford. I said to him ‘maybe in the next round I will play against you’. He was happy for that and I hope to play against him. “His brother is my best friend. So sometimes I go to Old Trafford to watch some games with him. He comes from about 20 minutes from me.” Coventry’s travelling support of nearly 8,000 outnumbered the home fans inside Stadium MK on Saturday and they finally have something to enjoy, following 10 years of misery at the hands of controversial owners Sisu. And there is plenty of FA Cup history at Coventry. Robins saved Alex Ferguson’s job by helping United to lift the trophy in 1990, while goalkeeper coach Steve Ogrizovic played in the Sky Blues’ 1987 success against Tottenham Hotspur. “Sometimes I talk with Oggy (Ogrizovic) about that because he won the FA Cup,” said Biamou. “I know it was a very great moment for the club. He said to me that it is one moment in your life and you have to enjoy the moment. If you can get far in this competition, then we can take it. But for me it is a bonus for us and I hope to get promoted to League One.” Biamou will be hoping that his friends in France take an interest in his latest Cup exploits for the football, rather than any publicity stunts. Goalkeeper Wayne Shaw stole the headlines of Sutton’s Cup run by eating a pie while sitting on the bench during the fifth-round defeat to Arsenal and subsequently left the club before being banned for breaching FA betting rules. Biamou said: “In France all my friends talked about that, but I was like ‘yeah yeah yeah but I played against Arsenal!’ I enjoyed the moment though. Wayne Shaw is a good guy, but I don’t know what happened with him. Personally, he was a good guy. Wayne Shaw stole the headlines of Sutton's FA Cup run Credit: ACTION IMAGES “I was not very good against Arsenal, so it isn’t a good memory, so probably the game against Leeds United is best for me. I made a penalty in that game, so I was very happy with that. Roarie Deacon was fantastic in this game. It was a great moment for the club, Sutton United. “The shirts I wore against Arsenal and Leeds I gave to my father. Sometimes it is difficult. I don’t see my family all the time, so when I go back to France if I can get some presents for my family then I give some shirts. They are very happy for me.” Asked if he believes he could take a chance at Old Trafford in front of 75,000 people, 27-year-old Biamou answered: “Yes of course. For me I just want to win the game. I am not a selfish player so if I score or not I don’t care, if we win the game then I am happy. Apparently, the FA Cup likes me.”

Coventry striker Maxime Biamou desperate to face Man Utd in FA Cup

Mark Robins is not the only man at Coventry City desperate to land a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Maxime Biamou secured League Two Coventry’s path into the last 16 for the first time in nine years with the only goal against Milton Keynes Dons and is now dreaming of writing another chapter into his personal FA Cup story. The French striker was part of the Sutton United side that reached the fifth round before losing to Arsenal last season and now Biamou wants to go up against the brother of one of his best friends – United forward Anthony Martial. “I would like to play against Manchester United because I know Anthony Martial,” said Biamou, who was born in Creteil, a south-eastern suburb of Paris. “I saw him a couple of weeks ago when Stoke played at Old Trafford. I said to him ‘maybe in the next round I will play against you’. He was happy for that and I hope to play against him. “His brother is my best friend. So sometimes I go to Old Trafford to watch some games with him. He comes from about 20 minutes from me.” Coventry’s travelling support of nearly 8,000 outnumbered the home fans inside Stadium MK on Saturday and they finally have something to enjoy, following 10 years of misery at the hands of controversial owners Sisu. And there is plenty of FA Cup history at Coventry. Robins saved Alex Ferguson’s job by helping United to lift the trophy in 1990, while goalkeeper coach Steve Ogrizovic played in the Sky Blues’ 1987 success against Tottenham Hotspur. “Sometimes I talk with Oggy (Ogrizovic) about that because he won the FA Cup,” said Biamou. “I know it was a very great moment for the club. He said to me that it is one moment in your life and you have to enjoy the moment. If you can get far in this competition, then we can take it. But for me it is a bonus for us and I hope to get promoted to League One.” Biamou will be hoping that his friends in France take an interest in his latest Cup exploits for the football, rather than any publicity stunts. Goalkeeper Wayne Shaw stole the headlines of Sutton’s Cup run by eating a pie while sitting on the bench during the fifth-round defeat to Arsenal and subsequently left the club before being banned for breaching FA betting rules. Biamou said: “In France all my friends talked about that, but I was like ‘yeah yeah yeah but I played against Arsenal!’ I enjoyed the moment though. Wayne Shaw is a good guy, but I don’t know what happened with him. Personally, he was a good guy. Wayne Shaw stole the headlines of Sutton's FA Cup run Credit: ACTION IMAGES “I was not very good against Arsenal, so it isn’t a good memory, so probably the game against Leeds United is best for me. I made a penalty in that game, so I was very happy with that. Roarie Deacon was fantastic in this game. It was a great moment for the club, Sutton United. “The shirts I wore against Arsenal and Leeds I gave to my father. Sometimes it is difficult. I don’t see my family all the time, so when I go back to France if I can get some presents for my family then I give some shirts. They are very happy for me.” Asked if he believes he could take a chance at Old Trafford in front of 75,000 people, 27-year-old Biamou answered: “Yes of course. For me I just want to win the game. I am not a selfish player so if I score or not I don’t care, if we win the game then I am happy. Apparently, the FA Cup likes me.”